Hi – Please find details of a rare musical experience for three care home residents that may be of story interest. Images attached. Thanks and best wishes, Scott Sinclair
RELEASE DATE – 8 June 2026; with images
Dorset care home music lovers meet today’s top performers
A trio of long-standing music lovers from a Dorset care home, including a 99-year-old former chamber musician, met some of today’s top performers at a ‘wonderful’ orchestral concert.
The trip to Poole Lighthouse to watch the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) was a delight for Myrtle Smith, Muriel Brown and Tessa Cooper who live at Colten Care’s Bourne View home in the town.
The evening, which featured music by Beethoven, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Sir Arnold Bax, began with a private audience for the Colten party.
French Horn player Kevin Pritchard, trombonist Robb Tooley, violinist Jenni Curiel and viola player Judith Preston all spoke with the visitors just ahead of the performance.
The conversations naturally centred on music, with discussions about performing today compared to years gone by.
Myrtle, 99, was recognised for her musical skills as she grew up in 1930s London. At just 11 years old, she achieved the top Grade 8 on the piano.
After winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music on her 18th birthday, she went on to establish a successful career as a chamber musician.
She played hundreds of concerts accompanying fellow musicians and singers and in later life became a piano teacher.
A skilled harpsichord player, Muriel studied music at university and worked as a music teacher and lecturer at Aberdeen University. Several members of her family are classically trained musicians.
In her younger days, Tessa used to enjoy BSO performances at Poole Lighthouse and had long wished to return after not attending a concert for several years.
After the performance, all three ladies expressed their delight and thanks.
Muriel said: “It was so nice to meet the musicians, and my daughter, who used to be a member of the BSO, also joined, and she knew many of the musicians we met.”
Tessa said: “I was amazed we got to meet the musicians as well as see such a wonderful concert. We felt like royalty for the evening!”
Myrtle described the concert as ‘a very exciting evening’, adding: “I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful music and wonderful atmosphere inside the auditorium.”
Muriel, Tessa and Myrtle were accompanied by Bourne View staff including Richard Croft, a Companionship Team member.
Richard said: “The BSO musicians took the time to make the group feel welcome and included in the evening. Being back in a concert hall and immersed in music brought back many fond memories for our residents. It all went very smoothly, a truly special outing, and we sincerely thank the BSO members for their kindness in accommodating us.”
ENDS
Images –
[music1] – MUSIC MAESTROS. 99-year-old Myrtle Smith, seated right, and fellow Bourne View residents Muriel Brown and Tessa Cooper at Poole Lighthouse for the performance by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Standing with them are, from left, Bourne View Companionship Team member Nicky Stevens, BSO French horn player Kevin Pritchard, violinist Jenni Curiel and trombonist Robb Tooley.
[music2] – SWEET HARMONY. The party from Colten Care’s Bourne View care home talk music with members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra just ahead of their concert at Poole Lighthouse.
Note to journalists: Colten Care owns and operates 21 care homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex. Seven of our homes are rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission and we have a consistently high group score, currently 9.9 out of ten, on the public review site Carehome.co.uk. Based on such third-party advocacy, we are the UK’s highest-rated care home group for our size. All our homes are registered for nursing care and four are dedicated dementia care homes with Admiral Nurse support. Unlike people who receive domiciliary care in their own homes, our residents have the reassurance that 24/7 nurse-led care is on hand whenever they need it. They live in the highest standards of accommodation, enjoying homecooked food, companionship, fresh laundry and housekeeping services, and safe, peaceful and inspiring gardens. We also support our residents to raise thousands of pounds for charities of their choice every year. Founded more than 35 years ago, Colten Care has won multiple awards for the quality of its care and remains an independent, family-owned care home provider. For more information, visit www.ColtenCare.co.uk. Media enquiries to Scott Sinclair, Deep South Media, on 07500 796666.
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